With social distancing now the norm, holidaying on a private island could be one safe solution for those keen to get away.
For anyone with more than a bit of spare change in the bank, buying a private island would guarantee year-round holidays and sunshine served in stunning isolation.
One of the largest islands in the Bahamas has become the latest secluded paradise to hit the market and become top contender for a safe holiday hotspot for the world's elite.
Little Ragged Island, also known as St Andrew's, is one of the biggest private islands currently for sale in the Caribbean.
Located about 220 kilometres north of Cuba and 600km south-east of Miami, the island spans 295 hectares and is home to rolling hills and endless stretches of beaches, all surrounded by the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Listed for $19.5 million, with no reserve price, the island is going under the hammer on March 26.
Bidders will need a $100,000 deposit to take part in the auction, which will result in a new owner of the southernmost island of the Caribbean's Ragged Island Chain.
Billed by Concierge Auctions as "a perfect blank canvas" for developers, the island has plenty of space to build a luxury resort, an 18-hole golf course, residential properties and still have land leftover.
With kilometres of beaches, freshwater ponds and forested hills, St Andrew's also comes with access to prime snorkelling and sailing grounds. On its eastern side, it also has deep water access, making it easy for yachts, superyachts and large ships to dock. And getting to the island by air is easy, too, as it's just a 10-minute boat ride away from the nearest private airstrip.
From the Maldives to the South Pacific: the world's most expensive private islands
If the Bahamas isn't your dream destination, but escaping the pandemic to a private island paradise still appeals, there are plenty of other secluded retreats up for grabs.
With asking prices up to an eye-watering $155m, here are 10 of the world's most expensive private islands for sale today.
- Vatuvara Private Islands, Fiji – $155m
- Private Island Paradise, Thailand – $153.8m
- Pumpkin Key, Florida, United States – $95m
- Long Caye private island, Belize – $75m
- Ifuru Resort, Raa Atoll, Maldives – $65m
- Spectabilis Island, Bahamas – $62m
- Cave Cay, Bahamas – $60m
- Water Cay Private Island, Turks and Caicos – $49m
- Motu Tane, French Polynesia – $39m
- Pakatoa Island, New Zealand – $35.9m
Click through the gallery above to find out more about each private island.
Whether you fancy your own islet in the Maldives, are craving an 44.5ha retreat off the coast of Thailand or want to unwind in French Polynesian waters, if you have the capital then the world's island real estate market likely has the perfect spot for you.
And for the rest of us, there's nothing like a spot of island-induced daydreaming or paradise musing to get you through another week at home.
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
BORDERLANDS
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Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
CREW
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Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
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Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
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UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
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Creator: Mike White
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Rating: 4.5/5
The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
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Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
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